Registration for the Early Bird rate opens on November 1, 2026. If you would like
to receive an email notification when registration opens, please click the button
below.
Agenda and Conference Information
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Joseph Gone, PhD
Joseph P. Gone, Ph.D., is the Faculty Director of the Harvard University Native American
Program and an international expert in the psychology and mental health of American
Indians and other Indigenous Peoples. A professor at Harvard University, Dr. Gone
has collaborated with tribal communities for over 30 years to critique conventional
mental health services and to harness traditional culture and spirituality for advancing
Indigenous well-being. As a clinical-community psychologist and action researcher,
he has published 130 scientific articles and received recognition in his fields through
more than 25 fellowships and career awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship. An
enrolled member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre Tribal Nation of Montana, he also served
briefly as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Fort Belknap Indian reservation.
In 2023, Gone received a Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology from the American
Psychological Foundation. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Charlene Winters, PhD, RN, FAAN
Charlene Winters is Professor Emerita in the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing
at Montana State University. Dr. Winters is a leader in the advancement of rural nursing
practice, education, theory, and research. Her work has brought national attention
to the health needs of rural persons, the education of rural nurses, the practice
constraints facing rural providers, and the skills and strategies necessary to conduct
meaningful rural research. Dr. Winters’ text (Rural Nursing: Concepts Theory & Practice)
now in its 6th edition, is recognized as the first-line resource for understanding
Rural Nursing Theory and practice and contains some of the most cited sources in the
rural nursing literature. Her research has extended understanding of theory to guide
rural nursing practice, the chronic illness experience of rural dwellers, self-management
of chronic disease in resource poor environments, and the health outcomes of persons
exposed to a catastrophic environmental event. Dr. Winters has provided substantive
and sustained leadership at the state, regional, and national levels for the Western
Institute of Nursing, the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, Providence
health system for Western Montana, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Editorial board positions for Nursing Research and the international journal of Rural
and Remote Health and contributing editor for Critical Care Nurse highlight a career
spanning 50 years. She is a Fellow in the American and the Western Academies of Nursing.
Dr. Winters received Baccalaureate and Master of Science degrees from California State
University at Long Beach and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Rush University
in Chicago, Illinois. She retired in August 2019 after 31 years with Montana State
University where she was Professor and interim Campus Director of the Missoula nursing
campus.
For more information or questions about a vendor or sponsorship opportunity, please
contact
Stacy Stellflug.
Abstract and Poster
The abstract submission period will run from September 1, 2026, through November 1, 2026. Applicants whose abstracts are selected will be contacted via email in mid- to late
November 2026.
Please upload your abstract submission here:
Abstract submission portal closes on November 1, 2026 at 11:59pm MDT.
If you are interested in reviewing abstracts, please complete this form:
Traveling to Bozeman
Montana State University Residence Hall
Downtown Bozeman Hotels
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Attendees are encouraged to plan their travel to arrive prior to Wednesday July 7,
2027 and depart in the late afternoon on Friday July 9, 2027 or that weekend (July
10- July 11, 2027) as participants leaving ealy will miss valuable content.
The conference will be held in the Strand Union Building (SUB) on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. All conference sessions,
meetings, and activities will take place in the SUB throughout the duration of the
conference.
Bozeman is conveniently located along Interstate 90 (I-90). Two interstate exits provide
access to the MSU campus, with Exit 309 offering the most direct route. The Strand
Union Building is centrally located on campus near the intersection of South 7th Avenue
and West Grant Street.
Explore Bozeman
Downtown Bozeman offers a vibrant blend of local charm, exceptional dining, and unique shopping experiences. Stroll historic Main Street and discover an inviting mix of boutiques, outdoor retailers,
art galleries, and locally owned shops that showcase the character of Montana.
Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, is just a short drive from Bozeman and offers unforgettable
opportunities to experience geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
Whether you visit iconic Old Faithful, explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,
or spot bison, elk, and bears, Yellowstone is a must-see destination during your time
in Montana.
If there is enough interest, there will be an opportunity to visit Yellowstone National
Park via bus tour with a fee associated. Please look for an email once registration
becomes avaialable for more information.
Museum of the Rockies (MOR) is one of Bozeman’s most popular attractions, featuring world-renowned dinosaur exhibits,
interactive science displays, and Montana history collections. Located on the Montana
State University campus, it’s a great place to explore the region’s rich natural and
cultural heritage during your visit.
